900mm to 1000mm
above pitch line
300mm (min)
Refer to Diagram 7
for handrail design
See page 58
900mm
to 1100mm
Tactile
warning
surface
800mm
400mm
400mm
800mm
Tactile warning
surface
300mm (min)
900mm
to 1100mm
1500mm (max)*
* Refer to 1.1.3.5 (g) for exception
Diagram 6 External steps and stairs - Key dimensions
Generally any raised area with an unprotected edge, such as a walkway, platform or staircase, from
which a fall of more than 0.5m could happen, must be fitted with a guardrail. These may be of tubu-
lar or solid construction or a combination of both.
Handrails supplied from the Pro-Rail range follow the recommendations of BS 6399 Part 1, BS 5395
and BS 6180. Usually 2 horizontal rails, consisting of a top rail and a mid-rail or alternatively a top
rail and an infill panel. For staircases or ladders bounded by a wall, only a single handrail is required
with a minimum hand clearance of 65mm as recommended by EEUA.
Wherever possible handrails should be continuous and follow the exposed edge of the raised plat-
form and / or staircase. The minimum height for handrails for platforms and walkways is 100mm
above the surface and for staircases the handrail height is between 900 and 1100mm above the
pitch line. Handrails should finish in a swept end, either to the wall, knee rail or return to the upright
standard.
Sharp corners, protrusions and exposed ends should be avoided and return bends should not
protrude more than 350mm from the centre line of the upright. At the foot of staircases no extrusion
should extend beyond the maximum extension of the stringer.
BS 5395: Part 3 recommends the minimum design imposed lateral loads that should be used in
industrial situations:
Light Duty – Access limited to one person:
0.36 kN/m
General Duty – Regular pedestrian traffic:
0.36kN/m
Heavy Duty – High density traffic (escape route): 0.74kN/m
Areas subject to crowding over 3m wide: 3.00kN/m
57
APPROACH TO BUILDINGS OTHER THAN DWELLINGS
